Why Kansas’ Devin Neal called NFL Draft selection by Saints a ‘dream come true’
Former University of Kansas running back Devin Neal was selected with the No. 184 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by New Orleans Saints on Saturday.
He was the first Jayhawk picked in the 2025 NFL Draft and sixth KU player drafted since 2018. Neal was projected as high as a fourth- or fifth-round selection but dropped to the Saints in Round 6.
“It’s a dream come true,” Neal told reporters on a Zoom call after the selection. “It’s a special, it’s a special day. I’m just super excited to play for this great organization.”
Neal will play alongside Saints star running back Alvin Kamara, which he said is exciting.
“That’s a guy that’s been on my list of top running backs for a long, long, time,” he said. “To learn from him, try to follow his footsteps in the best way I can, I’m honored. I’m going to be a sponge. ... Hopefully, pick up a lot of great things that he does well.”
Neal, from Lawrence, is KU’s all-time leading rusher. He finished his career with 4,343 rushing yards and 53 total touchdowns.
He also helped turn around KU’s program by leading the Jayhawks to consecutive bowl games in 2022 and 2023, marking just the second time ever the program had done that.
According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Neal is projected as an “average backup or special teamer” in the NFL.
Last season, Neal ran for 1,266 yards and had 17 total touchdowns. After the season, he participated in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine and Senior Bowl. Neal told reporters that he briefly talked to the Saints at the Senior Bowl.
This story was originally published April 26, 2025 at 3:14 PM.
